Firefighter – The All-Hazards Profession

“As the hazards Americans face have evolved, so has the services provided by our nations fire departments.”

August 19, 2017 – How was your shift? Did you make any fires? All firefighters receive this question on a near daily basis. There was a time when firefighters were known for one thing, fighting fires. I mean, the name says it all. Oh! And getting cats out of trees…

Photo: faithtap.com

Throughout the years the fire service has dramatically increased its footprint. Things changed for most fire departments with the advent of EMS in the 1970’s. More recently, 9/11 and Homeland Security has had a major impact on the number of services provided by fire departments. As the hazards Americans face have evolved, so has the services provided by our nations fire departments.

Today, firefighting is an all-hazards profession. Fire departments are the lead organization for any emergency that does not involve a crime. And if it does involve a crime, firefighters are still there. The fire service is both the inventor and the master of Incident Command.

While firefighters still fight fires and get cats out of trees, they do so much more. If you’re in a car wreck, firefighters get you out and to the hospital. If you have a medical emergency at home, firefighters will be the first ones at your door. Odds are the paramedic in your ambulance is also a firefighter. Firefighters do it all:

With the multitude of services provided by today’s fire service, does the title “Fire Department” still apply? Perhaps a title that better represents this all-hazards profession would bring greater awareness to its value? What are your thoughts?